U.S. patent number 8,496,032 [Application Number 12/877,680] was granted by the patent office on 2013-07-30 for manually operable manifold/nozzle closure for fluid dispensers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fluid Management Operations, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Scott J. Bratthauer, William A. Miller. Invention is credited to Scott J. Bratthauer, William A. Miller.
United States Patent |
8,496,032 |
Miller , et al. |
July 30, 2013 |
Manually operable manifold/nozzle closure for fluid dispensers
Abstract
A manually operated seal/closure system for a fluid dispenser
manifold is disclosed. The manifold includes at least one nozzle
and, more typically, a plurality of nozzles ranging from more than
one to twelve or more. The manifold housing includes a sidewall or
other stationary structure. The stationary sidewall is pivotally
connected to an arm. The sidewall further includes a lateral slot
and a curved slot. The arm includes a proximal end pivotally
coupled to the sidewall and a distal end coupled to a push plate.
The closure system also includes a bracket for supporting a cup and
a spring-biased seal. The bracket is coupled to the arm and
slidably coupled the sidewall by a pin that extends from the
bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall.
Inventors: |
Miller; William A. (Buffalo
Grove, IL), Bratthauer; Scott J. (Huntley, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Miller; William A.
Bratthauer; Scott J. |
Buffalo Grove
Huntley |
IL
IL |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Fluid Management Operations,
LLC (Wheeling, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
45769790 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/877,680 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120055582 A1 |
Mar 8, 2012 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/362; 222/562;
222/108; 137/313 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
7/0288 (20130101); B67D 7/421 (20130101); Y10T
137/5835 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
1/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;141/311R,351,360,362
;222/108,533,562 ;137/312-313 ;239/104,120-122 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Niesz; Jason K
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Miller, Matthias & Hull LLP
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A manifold and closure system for a fluid dispenser, the
manifold and closure system comprising: a manifold housing
supporting a manifold, the manifold comprising at least one nozzle,
the manifold housing comprising a sidewall, the sidewall being
pivotally connected to an arm, the sidewall comprising a lateral
slot and a curved slot, the arm comprising a proximal end and a
distal end, the proximal end pivotally connected to the sidewall,
the arm being slidably coupled to the curved slot of the sidewall,
a bracket supporting a cup and a spring-biased seal, the bracket
being coupled to the arm and slidably coupled lateral slot.
2. The manifold and closure system of claim 1 further comprising a
first biasing member disposed between the seal and the bracket for
biasing the seal upward and away from the bracket and towards the
manifold.
3. The manifold and closure system of claim 1 wherein the seal
comprises a circular ring and first biasing member comprises a
plurality of biasing members spaced around the circular ring.
4. The manifold and closure system of claim 2 further comprising a
ring plate disposed between the bracket and the seal and wherein
the first biasing member is disposed between the ring plate and the
bracket.
5. The manifold and closure system of claim 1 wherein the first
biasing member comprises at least one flat spring.
6. The manifold and closure system of claim 3 wherein the plurality
of biasing members are flat springs.
7. The manifold and closure system of claim 4 wherein the first
biasing member comprises a plurality of flat springs.
8. The manifold and closure system of claim 1 wherein the lateral
slot in the sidewall comprises a forward end and a rearward end,
the forward end slants upward vertically at an angle of less than
90.degree..
9. The manifold and closure system of claim 8 wherein a portion of
the lateral slot disposed between the forward and rearward ends of
the lateral slot is substantially straight and substantially
horizontal.
10. The manifold and closure system of claim 1 further comprising a
second biasing member that biases the arm and bracket towards the
manifold.
11. The manifold and closure system of claim 10 wherein the second
biasing member biases the bracket and seal towards the
manifold.
12. The manifold and closure system of claim 11 wherein the second
biasing member is an extension spring.
13. The manifold and closure system of claim 1 wherein the cup is
removable from the seal and bracket.
14. The manifold and closure system of claim 13 wherein the cup is
disposable.
15. The manifold and closure system of claim 1 further comprising a
second arm disposed opposite the bracket from the other arm and a
second sidewall disposed opposite the manifold from the other
sidewall, the second arm being pivotally connected to the second
sidewall.
16. The manifold and closure system of claim 15 further comprising
a push plate disposed between and connecting distal ends of the
arms.
17. A closure system for a fluid outlet, the system comprising: a
manifold housing supporting a cylindrical manifold, the manifold
encircling a plurality of nozzles, the manifold housing comprising
two opposing sidewalls, each sidewall being pivotally connected to
an arm, each sidewall comprising a lateral slot and a curved slot,
each arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, each proximal
end being pivotally connected to its respective sidewall, each arm
being slidably coupled to the curved slot of its respective
sidewall, a bracket supporting a cup and a spring-biased
ring-shaped seal, the bracket being coupled between the two arms
and slidably coupled lateral slots of the two opposing
sidewalls.
18. The manifold and closure system of claim 17 further comprising
a plurality of springs disposed between the seal and the bracket
for biasing the seal upward and away from the bracket and into a
matching registry engagement with the manifold when the manifold
and closure system is in a closed position.
19. The manifold and closure system of claim 18 further comprising
a ring plate disposed between the bracket and the seal and wherein
the plurality of springs are disposed between the ring plate and
the bracket.
20. A closure system for a fluid outlet, the system comprising: a
manifold housing supporting a cylindrical manifold, the manifold
encircling a plurality of nozzles, the manifold housing comprising
first and second opposing sidewalls, the first sidewall being
pivotally connected to a first arm, the second sidewall being
pivotally connected to a second arm, each sidewall comprising a
lateral slot and a curved slot, each arm comprising a proximal end
and a distal end, each proximal end being pivotally connected to
its respective sidewall, each arm being slidably coupled to the
curved slot of its respective sidewall, a bracket supporting ring
plate, which supports a cup and a spring-biased ring-shaped seal,
the bracket being coupled between the two arms and slidably coupled
lateral slots of the two opposing sidewalls, the bracket further
supporting a plurality of compression springs disposed between the
ring plate and the bracket for biasing the seal upward and away
from the bracket and into a matching registry engagement with the
manifold when the manifold and closure system is in a closed
position, the first arm being connected to a first extension spring
which is connected to the first sidewall, the second arm being
connected a second extension spring which is connected to the
second sidewall, the first and second extension springs biasing the
first and second arms and bracket towards the closed position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
An improved manifold/nozzle closure system for fluid dispensers is
shown and described. The disclosed closure system is a manual
system that, in a closed position, provides a cover/closure and a
seal for a manifold/nozzle through which one or more fluids are
dispensed. In the closed position, the closure element is disposed
beneath and biased against the manifold or nozzle where it collects
fluid drippings between dispensing operations and provides a
sealing effect to prevent dried material from clogging or
obstructing flow through the nozzle(s). The closure system may be
moved manually to an open or to a dispense position.
BACKGROUND
Systems for dispensing a plurality of different fluids into a
container have been known and used for many years. For example,
systems for dispensing paint base materials and colorants into a
paint container are known. These paint systems may use twenty or
more different colorants to formulate a paint mixture. Each
colorant is contained in a separate canister or package and may
include its own dispensing pump. The colorants and the respective
pumps may be disposed on a turntable, along one or more horizontal
rows or through a dispense manifold that includes a plurality of
nozzles. In a turntable system, the turntable is rotated so that
the colorant to be dispensed is moved to a position above the
container being filled. In designs using one or more horizontal
rows, the container may be moved laterally to the appropriate
colorant/pump. In manifold designs, the container or receptacle
remains stationary as the colorants are sequentially or
simultaneously pumped though individual nozzles held closely
together by a manifold block.
Systems for dispensing large varieties of different fluids are not
limited to paints, but also include systems for dispensing
pharmaceutical products, hair dye formulas, cosmetics of all kinds,
nail polish, etc. As noted above, some systems for use in preparing
products at a point of sale may also use a stationary manifold
through which a plurality of nozzles extend. Each fluid to be
dispensed is then pumped through its own individual nozzle that is
accommodated in the manifold. Depending upon the size of the
container and the quantity of the fluids to be dispensed, manifolds
can be designed in a space efficient manner so that a single
manifold can accommodate twenty or more different nozzles. The
nozzles are connected to the various ingredients by flexible hoses
and the ingredients are contained in stationary canisters. Each
canister may be associated with its own pump.
In many fluid dispensing applications, precision is essential, as
many formulations require the addition of precise amounts of
certain ingredients. This is true in the pharmaceutical industry
but also in the paint and cosmetic industries as the addition of
more or less tints or colorants can result in a visible change in
the color of the resulting product.
One way in which the precision of dispensing systems is compromised
is "dripping". Specifically, a "leftover" drip may be hanging from
a nozzle that was intended to be added to a previous formulation
and, with a new container in place under the nozzle, the drop of
liquid intended for a previous formulation may be erroneously added
to a new formulation. Thus, the previous container may not receive
the desired amount of the liquid ingredient and the next container
may receive too much.
To solve the drip problem, various scraper and wiper designs have
been proposed. However, these designs often require one or more
different motors to operate the wiper element and are limited to
use on dispensing systems where the nozzles are separated and not
bundled together in a manifold. Use of a wiper or scraping function
would not be practical in a multiple nozzle manifold design, as the
ingredients from the different nozzles will be cross-contaminated
by the wiper or scraper, which would then also contribute to the
lack of precision of subsequently produced formulations.
Another problem associated with dispensing systems that make use of
nozzles lies in the dispensing of relatively viscous liquids such
as tints, colorants, base materials for paints and cosmetic
products, certain pharmaceutical ingredients or other fluid
materials having relatively high viscosities. Specifically, the
viscous fluids have a tendency to dry and cake onto the end of the
nozzles, thereby requiring frequent cleaning in order for the
nozzles to operate effectively. For example, when a liquid or
slurry material dries on a nozzle, the dispense stream may be
misdirected causing the liquid or slurry to miss the receptacle.
This problem is particularly prevalent in the dispensing of paint
colorants or tints. While some mechanical wiping or scrapping
devices are available, these devices are not practical for multiple
nozzle manifold systems for the reasons set forth above and the
scraper or wiper element must be manually cleaned anyway. Nozzles
have also been known to clog entirely when exposed to air for an
extended period.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In satisfaction of the aforenoted needs, an improved closure system
for one or more fluid outlets is disclosed.
A disclosed manifold and closure system for a fluid dispenser
comprises a manifold housing that supports a manifold. The manifold
comprises at least one nozzle and, more typically, a plurality of
nozzles ranging from more than one to twelve or more. The manifold
housing comprises a sidewall or other stationary structure. The
sidewall or stationary structure is pivotally connected to an arm.
The sidewall or stationary structure further comprises a lateral
slot and a curved slot. The arm comprises a proximal end pivotally
connected to the sidewall or stationary structure at the curved
slot. The arm further comprises a distal end connected to a push
plate. The arm also comprises a mid-section connected to a bracket
that supports a cup, seal and biasing element that biases the cup
and seal in an upward direction. The bracket is coupled to
mid-section the arm and the sidewall or stationary structure by two
pins including a rear pin that extends from a rear portion of the
bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall or stationary
structure and a front pin that couples a front portion of the
bracket to the mid-section of the arm.
The slots disposed in the sidewall control the relative movement of
the arm and bracket with respect to the manifold. Specifically, the
lateral slot in the sidewall slants or curves upwardly at its
forward end. The bracket is connected to the rear pin that ride in
this lateral slot. As the rear pin reaches the forward end of the
lateral slot, it follows the upward path of the end of the slot
thereby making a sealing engagement between the seal and the
manifold. The bracket also comprises one or more biasing elements
the bias the cup and seal upward against the manifold for an
enhanced seal.
In a refinement, the one or more biasing elements comprise one or
more flat springs.
In a refinement, the system includes a pair of arms and a pair of
stationary sidewalls that include the like or identical slots.
In another refinement, another biasing member is employed that
biases the arm and bracket laterally into the sealing engagement
with the manifold. In another refinement, the biasing member is an
extension spring.
In a refinement, the biasing member is an extension spring
connected to the arm between the proximal and distal ends thereof
and to the sidewall.
In another refinement, at least one of the bracket or arm is
connected to a convenient handle or push plate to move the closure
system from the closed or sealed position to an open or dispense
position where a container may be disposed below the manifold.
In a refinement, the cup is removable from the seal and bracket. In
another refinement, the cup is disposable. In another refinement,
the cup and seal are connected and are removable and/or
disposable.
In another refinement, the seal is ring-shaped and is disposed on a
ring plate that is disposed between the bracket and the seal. In a
further refinement of this concept, one or more biasing elements
are disposed between the ring plate and the bracket. In still a
further refinement of this concept, one or more biasing elements
comprise one or more flat springs disposed between the ring plate
and the bracket that bias the ring plate and the seal towards the
manifold when the closure system is in a closed position.
A closure system for a fluid outlet is also disclosed. One
disclosed closure system comprises a housing comprising a pair of
spaced-apart sidewalls, a pair of spaced-apart arms, and a bracket
extending between and connecting the arms. Each sidewall comprises
a lateral slot and a curved slot. Each arm further comprises
proximal end coupled to the sidewall and slidably coupled to the
curved slot and a distal end coupled to a push plate. A mid-section
of the arm is coupled to a bracket. The bracket supports a cup and
a seal and is disposed between and coupled to the arms by a front
pair of oppositely directed pins that extend outward from the
bracket. A rear portion of the bracket is slidably coupled the
lateral slots of sidewalls by a rear pair of oppositely directed
pins that extend outward from the bracket and are received in the
lateral slots.
The slots disposed in the sidewalls are identical or similar
dimensionally and spatially and are used control the relative
movement of the bracket. In a refinement, the lateral slots in the
sidewalls curve or slant upwardly at their forward ends. The
bracket is connected to two pair of pins, front and rear, or four
pins in total. The rear pins ride in the lateral slots. As the rear
pair of pins reaches the forward ends of their respective lateral
slots, they follow the upward path of the forward ends of the slots
thereby causing the bracket to move upward into a closed/sealing
position against the manifold.
In a refinement, a pair of biasing members are provided that bias
each arm and the bracket towards the closed or sealed position. In
a refinement, the biasing members comprise a pair of extension
springs linking each arm to one of the sidewalls.
In another refinement, a push plate disposed between and connecting
distal ends of the arms.
A disclosed method for dispensing fluid comprises: providing a
closure element with a seal member below a nozzle manifold wherein
the closure element provides a sealing cover below the manifold to
protect the manifold and fluid contained therein from the ambient
atmosphere; moving the closure element vertically downward and
laterally rearward away from the nozzle manifold; dispensing fluid
from the nozzle; moving the closure element laterally forward and
then vertically upward back the area beneath and in an upward
biased position against the nozzle manifold; and engaging the
closure element with said seal member against the manifold under
force imposed by a biasing member trapped between the bracket that
supports the closure element and the closure element.
Other advantages and features will be apparent from the following
detailed description when read in conjunction with the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the disclosed methods and
apparatuses, reference should be made to the embodiment illustrated
in greater detail on the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of a fluid dispensing
system equipped with a manual manifold/nozzle closure mechanism
made in accordance with this disclosure as well as a container for
receiving dispensed fluid disposed beneath the manifold whereby the
closure mechanism is in the open or dispense position;
FIG. 2 is a partial left front perspective view of the fluid
dispensing system, manifold/nozzle closure mechanism, in the closed
position;
FIG. 3 is left front perspective view of the manifold/nozzle
closure mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a partially open
position;
FIG. 4 is left front perspective view of the manifold/nozzle
closure mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-3 in an open or dispense
position;
FIG. 5 is a left front perspective view of the bracket, seal and
biasing elements of the disclosed closure system; and
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cup, seal, bracket and biasing
elements.
While a single embodiment is shown and described, alternative
embodiments and variations will be described below and still other
variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should
also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale
and that the disclosed embodiment is sometimes illustrated
diagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances,
details which are not necessary for an understanding of the
disclosed methods and apparatus or which render other details
difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be
understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited to the
particular embodiment illustrated herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning to FIG. 1, a fluid dispenser 10 is disclosed which includes
a housing 11 that includes a platform 12 for supporting a container
to be filled. In a particular scenario illustrated in FIG. 1, an
additional retractable support 13 is provided for supporting a
smaller container 14, such as a one-gallon can as shown. Retraction
of the support 13 allows the dispenser 10 to accommodate a larger
pail, such as a five-gallon pail (not shown). A manifold cover 15
covers and protects the manifold housing 16 and a canister cover 17
covers and protects a plurality of canisters accommodated in the
housing 11 (the canisters are not shown in FIG. 1).
Turning to FIG. 2, shift the manifold housing 16 and closure
mechanism 18 is shown in detail. The housing 16 is includes a
bottom floor 21 disposed between opposing sidewalls 22 (only one of
which is shown in FIGS. 2-4). The opposing sidewalls 22 are each
connected integrally to a lower extension 23. Each lower extension
includes a lateral slot 24. Each sidewall also includes a curved
slot 25. The slots 24, 25 are used to control the movement of the
spaced-apart arms 26. The spaced-apart arms 26 are connected
together by two elements--the push plate 27 and the cup/seal
bracket 28. The cup/seal bracket 28 includes an opening 29 for
accommodating a drip catcher cup 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 6).
Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, the bracket 28, seal 32 and seal biasing
elements 33 will be explained in detail. The bracket 28 includes a
bottom floor 34 through which the opening 29 extends. The floor 34
is connected to three biasing elements 33 (see FIG. 6) which are
connected to the floor 34 by a conventional means, including, but
not limited to a threaded fastener such as a threaded screw 35 and
nut 36. The floor 34 is also connected to two stop members 37. The
stop members 37 limit the upward movement of the ring plate 38 and
seal 32 as a result of the biasing elements 33. The screws 39 and
nuts 40 connect the ring plate 38 to the upper portions of the
biasing elements 33. The bracket 28 also includes upwardly
protruding sidewalls 41 each of which includes a front through-hole
42 and a rear through-hole 43. The ramped front end 44 provides a
handle for pushing the bracket downward and away from the manifold
45, although the push plate 27 is better designed for this purpose.
The seal 32 can be made from a variety of different soft materials
with elastomeric properties. The specific material from which the
seal 32 is made is not crucial and various alternatives will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
Returning to FIG. 2, the manifold 45 comprises an upper block 46
connected to a plurality of inlet lines 47 and a lower extension 48
for accommodating the nozzles (not shown). Referring to FIGS. 2-4,
the lower rim 49 engages the seal 32 to prevent drying out of
material disposed in the nozzles and, consequently, the clogging of
the nozzles.
Still referring to FIGS. 2-4 the movement of the closure mechanism
18 between the closed/seal position (FIG. 2) and open/dispense
position (FIG. 3) will be described in greater detail. Turning
first to FIG. 2, the arms 26, push plate 27, cup/seal bracket 28,
cup 31 and seal 32 are all biased forward and upward by the springs
51, which also couple the proximal ends 52 of the arms 26 to the
manifold housing sidewalls 22 by way of the pins 53, 54. Obviously,
the springs 51 could be disposed at numerous different places and
could be connected to the bracket 28 as opposed to the arms 26.
Further, only a single spring 51 may be necessary. As the springs
51 pull the bracket 28 and seal 32 forward and upward thereby
forcing the seal 32 against the lower rim 49 of the manifold 45,
the arms 26 each pivot about a pin 55 coupled to one of the
sidewalls 22.
During this pivotal motion of the arms 26, the movement of the arms
26 is controlled by the pins 52, 53, 56, 57 which couple the arms
26 to the sidewalls 22, the arms 26 to the bracket 28 and the arms
26 to the curved slots 25 and lateral slots 24. Specifically, the
pins 56, 57 are coupled to the front and rear portions of the
bracket 28 respectively. The pins 56 also ride in the lateral slots
24 disposed in the lower wall extension 23. Further, the tab 61
disposed on each arm 26 includes another pin 53 that rides in the
curved slot 25 and which is also connected to the spring 51.
Referring back to FIG. 2, in the closed position shown, the pins 56
connected to the front of the bracket 28 are nested against the
forward end 62 of the transverse slot 24, which, as best shown in
FIG. 3, is curved or slanted forwardly and upwardly. The shape of
the transverse slot 24 at its forward end 62 moves the bracket 28,
cup 31 and seal 32 forwardly and upwardly to assume the closed/seal
position shown in FIG. 2.
In contrast, as shown in FIG. 4, in the fully open/dispense
position, the pins 56 have been pushed back against the rearward
end 63 of the transverse slot 24 and against the bias of the
springs 51. The rearward ends 63 of the slots 24 are best seen in
FIG. 3. Similarly, the pins 53 disposed away from the forward end
65 of the curved slot 25 (see FIG. 4). I
In FIG. 3, the pins 56 are disposed in the horizontal portions of
the slots 24 and therefore parallel with the pin 57 as the closure
mechanism is moved either away from or towards the manifold 45. The
cup 31 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 may be frictionally fitted to the
opening 29 in the floor 34 of the bracket 28 and below the seal 32.
The cup 31 may be disposable or removable and cleanable.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the seal 32 is fastened to the
ring plate 38 by glue or adhesive although other attachment means
may be utilized.
In FIG. 2, the arms 26 and bracket 28 are shown in their forward or
closed position. The pins 56 and 53 are nested at the forward ends
62, 65 of the slots 24, 25 respectively. The biasing elements 33
insurer and even inconsistent seal between the upper rim 66 of the
seal 32 in the lower rim 49 of the manifold 45.
Therefore, the manifold/nozzle closure mechanism 18 provides a
simple and efficient mechanism for moving a sealing element 32 and
cup 31 vertically upward to engage a lower extension of a manifold
45 to reduce exposure of fluid nozzles to air and to catch drips.
The closure mechanism 18 also provides an easy and convenient means
for moving the seal 32 and cup 31 downward prior to moving the seal
32 and cup 31 laterally rearward to a position disposed away from
the fluid path. By employing a spring bias, the mechanism 18
provides simple means for returning the seal 32 and cup 31 to the
original sealed/closed position automatically.
It will be noted that the disclosed embodiment includes a manifold
block 45/46 with a plurality of nozzles (not shown). It is
anticipated that the disclosed closure mechanism would be
applicable to systems with a single nozzle dispense. It is also
anticipated that the disclosed mechanism 18 could be used to
retrofit existing dispensers 10.
Industrial Applicability
A manifold and closure mechanism 18 for a fluid dispenser 10 is
disclosed. The manifold and closure mechanism 18 comprises a
manifold housing 16 supporting a manifold 45. The manifold 45
comprises or accommodates at least one nozzle. The manifold housing
16 comprises a sidewall 22. The sidewall 22 is pivotally connected
to an arm 26. The sidewall 22 comprises a lateral slot 24 and a
curved slot 25. The arm 26 comprises a proximal end 52 and a distal
end 58. The proximal end 52 of the arm 26 is pivotally connected to
the sidewall 22. The arm 26 is slidably coupled to the curved slot
25 of the sidewall 22. The mechanism 18 also comprises a bracket 28
that supports a cup 31 and a spring-biased seal 32. The bracket 28
is coupled to the 26 arm and is slidably coupled to the lateral
slot 24.
A first biasing member 33 may be disposed between the seal 32 and
the bracket 28 for biasing the seal 32 upward and away from the
bracket 28 and towards the manifold 45. The seal 32 may be in the
form of a circular ring 32 and the first biasing member may be in
the form of a plurality of biasing members spaced around the
circular ring 32. A ring plate 38 may be disposed between the
bracket 28 and the seal 32 and the first biasing member 33 may be
disposed between the ring plate 38 and the bracket 28. The first
biasing member 33 may comprises at least one flat spring 33. Other
types of springs or biasing members 33 will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. In one embodiment, a plurality of flat springs
33 are spaced apart around the ring plate 38 such as the three flat
springs 33 shown in FIG. 6.
The lateral slot 24 in the sidewall 22 may comprise a forward end
62 and a rearward end 63. The forward end 62 may slant upward
vertically at an angle of less than 90.degree. to lift the bracket
28 and seal 32 towards the manifold 45 as the closure mechanism 18
moves to a closed or sealed position (FIG. 2) and to drop the
bracket 28 and seal 32 away from the manifold 45 as the closure
mechanism 18 moves from the closed position (FIG. 2) towards an
open position (FIG. 4). The portion of the lateral slot 24 disposed
between the forward and rearward ends 62, 63 of the lateral slot 24
may be substantially straight and substantially horizontal. To bias
the closure mechanism 18 towards the closed position shown in FIG.
2, a second biasing member 51 in the form of an extension spring 51
may be employed that biases the arm 26 and bracket 28 towards the
manifold 45 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, to move the
closure mechanism 18 from the position shown in FIG. 2 through the
position illustrated in FIG. 3 and towards the open position shown
in FIG. 4, the bias of the spring 51 or springs 51 must be
overcome.
The cup 31 may be removable from the seal 32 or ring plate 38 and
bracket 28. The cup 31 may also be disposable. As illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4, a second arm 26, sidewall 22, curved slot 25 and lateral
slot 24 may be employed. A push plate 27 may be disposed between
the two arms 26 and may connect the distal ends 58 of the arms
26.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. This
disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular embodiment
illustrated herein and the alternative embodiments described
herein. Other alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above
disclosure. The disclosed closure system is applicable to almost
any fluid dispensing apparatus that dispenses single or multiple
fluids. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to embrace all
alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *